This entry will soon summarize what I understand to date about the French preservation process. What I will say briefly is that now is a time of transition here, due to the evolution of the European Union. In short, this makes an already complicated process more challenging to understand because there is a future that is unknown to all, and the future appears to have began about a year ago.
12/10: Week 4 - Happy Columbus Day!
A lunchtime celebration of the American holiday, Columbus Day, at AEC Lyon. Cheers!
15/10/2009: Several folks have asked me how did we celebrate Columbus Day in France. It seems that celebrations here often start with champagne, so this is where we also began. This was followed by a wonderful buffet lunch, pot-luck style including wine, a cheese course and a dessert course (yum!). Over dessert, I gave a presentation about my firm, Quinn Evans Architects, and the work we do, highlighting sustainable preservation. Included in the discussion was a brief introduction to preservation (Secretary of the Interior Standards) and sustainable design (LEED) in the USA. Throughout the presentation, there was much dialogue as to the similarities and differences in the USA and France.
It's turned out that I've now given a version of the presentation four times this week! Twice at AEC Lyon, once at Archipat (another preservation firm in Lyon that collaborates often with Didier Repellin), and today at Les Grands Ateliers de l'Isle d'Abeau. Each time I've learned not only new vocabulary, but also new facets of the French architectural system and current topics of debate. Thanks to all who listened and shared their experiences with me.
15/10/2009: Several folks have asked me how did we celebrate Columbus Day in France. It seems that celebrations here often start with champagne, so this is where we also began. This was followed by a wonderful buffet lunch, pot-luck style including wine, a cheese course and a dessert course (yum!). Over dessert, I gave a presentation about my firm, Quinn Evans Architects, and the work we do, highlighting sustainable preservation. Included in the discussion was a brief introduction to preservation (Secretary of the Interior Standards) and sustainable design (LEED) in the USA. Throughout the presentation, there was much dialogue as to the similarities and differences in the USA and France.
It's turned out that I've now given a version of the presentation four times this week! Twice at AEC Lyon, once at Archipat (another preservation firm in Lyon that collaborates often with Didier Repellin), and today at Les Grands Ateliers de l'Isle d'Abeau. Each time I've learned not only new vocabulary, but also new facets of the French architectural system and current topics of debate. Thanks to all who listened and shared their experiences with me.
